Conté Still Life Drawing

We will be using the medium of "conté" (compressed charcoal in stick form) on "cartridge paper" to draw a realistic still life drawing.

Participants will be divided into small groups and each group will make an arrangement of still life objects (vases, cups etc. - provided) and "light" the arrangement with a small table lamp (provided). 

The workshop will include a demonstration of preparing the paper and the procedure of creating a drawing beginning with basic large shapes on prepared paper, erasing large basic shapes, erasing highlight areas and finally adding darker areas and details into the drawing.

Materials:

2+ sticks of "Black "conté de Paris" sketching crayons

Pad of "White Vellum Cartridge Drawing Paper Pad" - 18" x 24" (40 sheets) - about $5.00

Cheap White dollar store eraser "NOT PINK PEARL"

Paper Towel Roll (to "smear" conté on paper)

These supplies are to be purchased by registrants prior to the course and at their expense. Estimated cost is $15. Supplies are available at most local art suppliers.

No pre-reading and no previous experience with the media required.

Peter has been a full time art specialist teacher at Cochrane High School from 2002 - 2022. He has a masters degree in drawing (MFA) from the U of Calgary (1992) and an undergraduate (BFA) from the U of Lethbridge in printmaking (1982). He is a practicing artist with current exhibits at the Viewpoint Gallery in Red Deer.